Royal Delta had a huge year in 2011, both on the racetrack and in the auction ring, and the filly will kick off 2012 with an Eclipse Award as new owner Ben Leon Jr. points her toward greater accomplishments.

There was little drama in the announcement of Fox Hill Farms' Havre de Grace being named top older female. The 4-year-old daughter of 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam garnered 245 of the 248 first-place votes cast.

Winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint had been the flourishing finish to a splendid nine-race championship season for Amazombie that ran from late January to Nov. 5. Now he has been voted male sprint champion.

My Miss Aurelia's championship status was affirmed Jan. 16 when it was announced that My Miss Aurelia had been voted champion 2-year-old filly of 2011, garnering 247 of the 248 total first place votes.

Junebugred made his 2012 debut a winning one, but it was close. The chestnut son of Corinthian defeated 17-1 longshot Reckless Jerry by a neck in the $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes for 3-year-olds at Oaklawn Park Jan. 16.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo defended his plan to have a private company construct the world's largest convention center next to Aqueduct in the face of a new public poll in which most New Yorkers oppose the idea.

Red Roy, an unraced 3-year-old filly, turned in the fastest three-furlong work of the day Jan. 16 during the under tack show for the new horses of racing age section of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. winter mixed sale.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has announced its 2012 seminar and clinic schedule. The schedule includes three ownership seminars, a breeding clinic, and three pedigree and conformation clinics.

Jockey Jackie Davis was released from North Shore University Hospital early Jan. 16 after X-rays and scans came back negative following a spill after the conclusion of the ninth race at Aqueduct the previous day.

The suspense over which horse will be crowned 2011 Horse of the Year will come to an end tonight, Jan. 16, when the 41st annual Eclipse Awards are handed out at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, Calif.